Israeli ambassador congratulates Russia on defeating Islamic State in Syria

Israeli Ambassador in Moscow, Gary Koren, has congratulated Russia on the defeat of the Islamic State terrorist grouping in Syria.

“We congratulate Russia on its victory over the Islamic State [in Syria],” Koren said.

“It became possible thanks to Russian presence,” he continued.

Simultaneously, the ambassador voiced concern over the buildup of Iran’s military presence in the region in spite of defeat of the terrorists. “Now they [the Iranians] are building up their military presence, which is they don’t need already, and their economic presence, too.”

The Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, Gen Valery Gerasimov told an annual briefing for military attaches on Wednesday Syria had been fully cleared of terrorists and all the units of the IS had been destroyed.

He also said Russia was ready to give assistance to the U.S. in destroying remainders of the grouping in Iraq.